crease of $3, 348, 771 in the appropriation of the Department of Edu-
cation. By a closer examination, you will observe that the State, in
fact, is increasing its aid to public education by more than $5 million.
And this increase is apart from the recommendations I have made to
implement the program of the Committee on Taxation and Fiscal
Matters. The more than $5 million increase in aid to education
includes $645, 260 in per pupil aid, $1. 3 million in aid per classroom
and $2. 8 million in equalization. Also, I am recommending that
State aid to the junior colleges be increased from $150 to $175 per
pupil.

For the Department of Health and the vast program it carries on
to protect the health of our citizens, I am proposing an overall ex-
penditure of $32, 117, 713 in general, special and federal funds. This
is an increase of $2, 547, 338 over the appropriation for the current
year. This increase is to be used primarily for improved medical
care and to step up activities in the area of research and preventive
medicine.

Last year I directed the Department to undertake a pilot project
to determine how medical care in nursing homes could be improved.
In the 1961 budget, $100, 000 was provided to finance this project. I
have received preliminary reports on this project, which is still under
way, and increased nursing home payments on a selective basis will
begin about February 15. This survey of nursing homes has indicated
that the needs for beds should be met by the construction of new
facilities. I have asked the Department to submit for your considera-
tion a nursing home construction bill.

The survey also indicates that emphasis should be placed on
medical and nursing aspects of nursing home care, and $321, 621
has been provided in this budget to carry this out. An increase in
basic rates for welfare patients in nursing homes unfortunately can-
not be substantiated by cost data at this time. I have asked the Boards
of Health and Public Welfare to move at all possible speed to develop
alternative proposals for more satisfactory nursing home payments.

On the recommendation of the Commissioner of Mental Hygiene
and the Medical Care Committee of the Planning Commission, I am
providing funds, to be used on a matching basis, to set up day-care
centers for the mentally retarded and the mentally ill in Baltimore
City and the counties.

It is with deep satisfaction that I am able to report to you once
more a healthy expansion of activities in the Department of Mental

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